3 Ways To Gain Perspective When Facing Eating Disorder Thoughts
** It is a motivational post by Mike Thomas based on his life experience. Please bear in mind that it is no particular psychological or medical advice.
As human beings, if we can recognize that we have a particular viewpoint at a specific time... and that our perspective can change as time moves onward.
So, if you are feeling sad, anxious, stressed, or scared in a particular moment,
this may very well pass.
And if you are having a particularly difficult day with the eating disorder
changes are your feelings and the situation will change soon.
Ok, so...
1. REMIND YOURSELF THAT THESE THOUGHTS ARE TEMPORARY
When you are able to step back and recognize that your thoughts and feelings are temporary and not going to be as intense as they are right now forever, then suddenly they lose some of their power.
Consider thinking about it this way... have you ever had strong eating disorder thoughts/ urges before and not given into them? If so, did the urge stay strong for hours, days, weeks? I'm guessing not. I'm guessing you found another way to cope and the thoughts and fears decreased.
Why? Because our emotions are temporary and, with time, these eating disorder fears diminish. Which brings us to the second tip.
2. ACCEPT THE THOUGHTS AND FEARS AS THEY ARE
What? Accept them? Seriously...?
Yes, can you accept that you are having these thoughts and fears and that it is... ok?
It is ok.
You don't have to beat them up, run away from them, or push them aside. They can simply be there. Sitting there in your mind. Trying to provoke you to action... but you don't have to get into that war.
I have heard a really cool metaphor before that helped me understand this point.
Imagine you are out in the ocean and waves are swelling in front and behind you.
You could lean forward, bury your feet in the sand, and fight the wave. This may result in your being pushed back from your place.
Or
You could allow the wave to swell, lifting you up from the sand and then bringing you back down nearly in the same spot where you were before.
In this way, by not fighting the thoughts, you win the battle.
3. CONSIDER DIFFICULTIES YOU HAVE OVERCOME IN THE PAST
I have had the privilege of counseling many people in the process of recovering from eating disorders, and I will say, all of them were able to acknowledge that they had overcome difficulties in the past.
As human beings, we encounter troubles, stress, relational problems, and lots of other difficulties. But, it is how you deal with these circumstances, not the circumstances themselves, that make the difference.
If you are currently struggling with strong eating disorder thoughts and urges, consider the fact that you have been able to overcome and cope with other problems in the past. Recognize that you have strength and are capable of getting through this. Use the supports you have in your life (i.e. your treatment team, loved ones, and friends). Use whatever has worked in the past. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, you have already been successful in the past. Apply your strength in your present struggles.
Hello, everyone! This is a post for Jigsaw Recovery. Congratulations on finding a thread! The word in this one is 'Dark'. Have a great rest of week!
[ edited by @windflowers, 9/8, to add in details for forum event; these will be removed when event is over ]
@SunFern I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you posting this! :)
@CarissasHereToTalk glad to know that you're finding it a helpful read.
Which one do you think might be most helpful for you?
@SunFern For me, the part about accepting the thoughts and feelings as they are is one that I haven't really heard much before. Now that I've kind of sat with that idea and thought about it a bit I like it a lot. :)
@CarissasHereToTalk that's a wonderful thing, Carissa. it's often hard to distinguish between thoughts and feelings, but thinking deeply about them can be very interesting and helpful in many aspects.
i am glad that you like this. hope it helps you
This is super helpful and motivating, thanks.
Another great strategy that seems to work for people ask themselves how they'd react if a loved one did the same thing they were thinking about. I find that when I ask myself how I'd react if my mom was doing the same thing, it gives me a lot of insight into whether my behavior is something I should react to, if that makes sense?
@LiamListens97 - I love that trick! I often ask myself how I would feel if a good friend said the same thing - if I would react to them differently, why? :)
@Anomalia It can be a helpful trick! I'm glad to see that someone elses uses it! :)
